CVE-2022-38186 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A detailed overview of CVE-2022-38186, a reflected XSS vulnerability in Esri Portal for ArcGIS versions 10.8.1 and below that poses a high severity risk to users.

Understanding CVE-2022-38186

This section delves into the specifics of the CVE-2022-38186 vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2022-38186?

The CVE-2022-38186 vulnerability is a reflected Cross-site Scripting (XSS) flaw in Esri Portal for ArcGIS versions 10.8.1 and earlier. It enables a remote attacker to execute malicious JavaScript by tricking a user into clicking on a crafted link.

The Impact of CVE-2022-38186

With a CVSS base score of 7.1, CVE-2022-38186 is classified as a high-severity vulnerability. It has a low impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability but requires user interaction to be exploited and can lead to arbitrary code execution in the victim's browser.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-38186

This section outlines the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism of CVE-2022-38186.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to conduct reflected XSS attacks by convincing a user to click on a specially crafted link, potentially leading to the execution of arbitrary JavaScript code.

Affected Systems and Versions

Esri Portal for ArcGIS versions 10.8.1 and all versions below are impacted by CVE-2022-38186. The vulnerability affects x64 platforms.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is network-based, with low complexity and requires no privileges. It necessitates user interaction, and the scope of impact is changed.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn about the immediate steps to take and long-term security practices to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2022-38186.

Immediate Steps to Take

It is crucial to apply security patches promptly, educate users about phishing tactics, and implement web application firewalls to filter out malicious traffic.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch your software, conduct security audits, monitor for suspicious activities, and provide ongoing security training to users.

Patching and Updates

Esri has released security updates to address CVE-2022-38186. Ensure that you apply the latest patches provided by Esri to safeguard your systems against potential exploitation.